Saturday, November 22, 2025

Local 302 Charts the Course for Healthcare Advocacy

Board members met in Grimsby to set 2026 advocacy priorities focused on fairness, safety, and teamwork across long term care and retirement workplaces

The Local 302 Board met on November 3 at CLAC’s Grimsby Member Centre to review this year’s healthcare priorities and discuss ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at improving the lives and working conditions of members in long term care and retirement settings. President Shawn Kelly opened the evening with a warm welcome, joined by Vice-President Pam Mulder, board members, and CLAC representatives Aren Plante, Michael Reid, and Shawn Branton.

A central focus of the meeting was CLAC’s 2026 Ontario healthcare advocacy plan, presented by Michael Reid. The discussion reflected both the joys and challenges of working in healthcare and reaffirmed the importance of strong, collaborative leadership.

Board members spoke about the power of teamwork and how collaboration between departments continues to make a difference in residents’ lives. They also emphasized the need for workplace policies that reflect real-life experiences on the floor and support staff initiative through respectful, communicative leadership.

Several key advocacy priorities were endorsed by the board, including extending WSIB coverage to workers in retirement and residential care facilities and requiring transparent public reporting of direct care hours by RNs, RPNs, PSWs, and allied health professionals. The board also encouraged CLAC to push for greater financial transparency in publicly funded care homes to ensure that funding directly supports quality resident care.

Training and safety were also at the forefront. The board strongly supported enhanced, practical, and regularly updated training to manage resident behaviours safely, stressing that in-person, hands-on education is essential and must include opportunities for caregivers to share lived experience. They also endorsed recommendations for stronger preadmission communication, ongoing behavioural support, and improved staff safety tools, such as immediate alert systems for violent situations.

While the board declined to support the continuation of government wage enhancements for non‑PSW staff—citing the potential for workplace division—members reaffirmed CLAC’s commitment to fairness, collaboration, and advocacy for sustainable improvements that strengthen the entire healthcare team.

Local 302 continues to champion a healthcare environment rooted in respect, transparency, and teamwork—values that reflect the heart of CLAC and the vital work members do every day across Niagara and beyond.

Local 302 Charts the Course for Healthcare Advocacy

You might be interested in